Tarawera Ultra is going global

It'll be all go on the start line in Rotorua when the Tarawera Ultramarathon becomes part of a world tour next year. Photo / Graeme Murray

Rotorua poised to become a 'bucket list' destination after selection in inaugural world trail-running event

Rotorua's Tarawera Ultramarathon put New Zealand on the ultra-running map this week in Paris.

It was announced that the long-established race will join an exciting new global tour next year.

The 2014 Ultra-Trail World Tour will feature eight long-distance running races in Africa, America, Asia and Europe with New Zealand representing Oceania.

The Tarawera Ultramarathon is a challenging 100km off-road run from Rotorua to Kawerau through the magnificent countryside of the Bay of Plenty. The trail run is staged every year in mid-March.

Tarawera race director Paul Charteris said: "The invitation for the Tarawera Ultra to be part of the world tour came completely out of the blue one night in the form a Skype call from Ultra-Trail organisers in Paris.

"I was speechless. It's such an honour to be invited to be one of the inaugural tour partners. The best trail ultra-marathon runners from all over the world will make Rotorua a bucket-list destination."

The first Tarawera Ultramarathon was run six years ago. "It was really a crazy dream to start with," Charteris said. "These days we sell out well ahead of race day with a big waiting list, but it's still unbelievable to think that hundreds of the world's running media were in a press conference in Chamonix in France this week learning about the Tarawera Ultra."

Charteris said the Ultra-Trail World Tour would guarantee exposure to a much greater global audience, and the potential benefits to local tourism and the economy would be in the millions of dollars.

Other races on the world tour are the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run (United States), the Marathon des Sables (Morocco), the North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland), the Transgrancanaria (Spain), Lavaredo Ultra-Trail (Italy), Vibram Hong Kong 100 (Hong Kong) and the Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji (Japan).

"These are all successful, well-established events with long histories, big race fields and massive media interest," said Charteris.

"And they aren't just about the racing - they're also about the magnificent landscapes and exotic environments they're run in."

The world tour is an opportunity to showcase Rotorua, a tourist and adventure sport destination, and New Zealand to the world.

"The international runners who have raced in the Tarawera Ultra have all loved being here ... Our beautiful lakes and the forests, spa and geothermal features and Maori culture are a unique and seductive combination."

2014 World Tour schedule (to be confirmed)

January 19- Vibram Hong Kong 100
March1- The North Face Transgrancaria (Spain)
March 15- Vibram Tarawera Ultramarathon (New Zealand)
April 5- Marathon des Sables (Morocco)
April 26- Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji (Japan)
June 28- Western States 100-Mile (United States)
June 28- The North Face Lavaredo Ultra Trail (Italy)
August 29- The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (France/Italy/Switzerland)